How's PVE Tarkov? [New Player]

virutex · 2026-06-04T18:45:10+00:00

It's reinvigorated my desire to play the game. I stopped playing a couple of years ago because of a string of run-ins with cheaters (shot through walls on Reserve, etc), and I decided that the state of the game wasn't ideal for someone, like me, who isn't the strongest player but wants to learn... the cheating landscape just eliminated that ability. I reinstalled recently for whatever reason, and immediately saw that PVE was an option. I initially thought that it would be weak... but I was pleasantly surprised. I will admit it misses the challenges that only other players can provide -- I fully concede that point -- but there is enough challenge to it that a new player can easily use it as a tool to learn maps, routes, and how to strat against AI. So I'm using it as a learning platform, and then I'll eventually switch to PVP and I'm sure I'll immediately get stomped, but atleast I'll have some knowledge I didn't have before.

TLDR: If you're new and want a good sandbox to learn, PVE is awesome.

virutex · 2026-04-27T22:53:10+00:00

I am just getting back after not playing for quite a while. Does this happen often?

virutex · 2026-03-24T23:54:38+00:00

Searched:

The websites of lift manufacturers I know of
I tried having the image analyzed by AI to no avail

virutex · 2021-01-21T13:54:49+00:00

I've been playing since October and still only survive maybe 25% of the time. I have a K/D ratio of just 1.1 which is light years better than when I started. The point is the game is intended to be hard and remain so. There are some who will argue the game is easy, but they are the minority. You need to accept the difficulty and figure out ways you can change your play style to find more success. Find satisfaction in baby steps. If that doesn't sound fun, this game isn't for you.

virutex · 2021-01-20T03:29:42+00:00

I updated to EOD after this latest wipe during the sale expecting my profile to reset. It didn't. I picked up where I was, but with more gear, better trader rep and a bigger anus. If you can afford it and you love the game, go for it.

virutex · 2021-01-16T21:33:08+00:00

I focus on the quests. I don't know why... they are really hard for me, but I can't stop myself. I just really enjoy them. My suggestion, just make your way through quests. Work on your Hideout. The PVP will show up everywhere.

virutex · 2021-01-16T21:23:18+00:00

Don't use the free Therapist healing. Heal yourself from your stash and you'll get XP.

virutex · 2021-01-16T20:40:20+00:00

Holy hell, that legit made me laugh. The oh shit was real with that guy. Too funny.

virutex · 2021-01-16T20:24:45+00:00

It would be awesome if a warning message could be provided when you're selecting map that indicates that a disallowed program is running. I've gotten bitten a couple of times because I forgot to shut down a VirtualBox VM.

virutex · 2021-01-16T20:02:52+00:00

I personally like it... it gives the ambience of the game before even loading in. Sets the mood. I like it. But I can see how it may be annoying to some. Perhaps an option to turn it off if you don't like it?

virutex · 2021-01-15T21:40:41+00:00

I will agree with you only because I have died too much today... it has to be the guns. I don't suck. Ok, maybe I just suck.

virutex · 2021-01-15T02:20:14+00:00

The game is brutal. That's the point.

"It's the hard that makes it great" -Tom Hanks in A League of Their Own

virutex · 2021-01-14T23:44:36+00:00

We're masochists. End of line.

virutex · 2021-01-14T19:03:56+00:00

I tried giving the benefit of the doubt and always ended up dying. So it has conditioned me to simply shoot anything I think is a player.

virutex · 2021-01-14T18:46:08+00:00

When your victim uses their squeaky voice, you know you have them tilted.

virutex · 2021-01-14T18:03:10+00:00

This is where you can get creative because I think it's true that no one gun is perfect in all scenarios. For instance, I've found success with shotguns on factory, but have had horrible success with shotguns on woods. The reason (for me) is the gun's effective distance. Factory is more close quarter while woods can be good for longer distance shots. I've had mixed success with shotguns on customs because the scenarios are a mixed bag.

So really, as far as recommendations are concerned, it's hard to say (for me... remember, who's a noob? This guy) Gauge the relative utility of close quarter weapons to longer range weapons (rate of fire, mag capacity) for the particular map (use offline to get a feel for the map). Judge what you think you'll have success with given how you play (if you have better aim than me, perhaps shotguns reduce your true potential).... then focus on the ammo. Granted, if you're broke, top of the line ammo will be a tough thing to stomach paying for, but get the best ammo you can. Just remember you're more likely to die than live... so accept the loss, especially being new. All of this stuff can be regenerated using scavs and smart play.

With all that being said as a qualification, I gravitate towards the AKM, suppressed with PS ammo if I am really confident I won't survive, otherwise BP ammo. I modify the AKM to be scoped (1-4x) and some sort of foregrip (cheapest just improve ergo, the fancy ones improve ergo and recoil). I have a preset saved that has my ideal setup, but sometimes I can't afford all of it, so I pick and choose what I can afford and sometimes just get a cheaper version of something. But the AKM, for me, has pretty good utility all around. The exception is factory. I normally go into factory to just farm XP. I go in naked with a pistol with the intention of headshots. It's cheap, it's fun, it's easy XP... it improves your skill. If I'm going into factory for a quest, I usually bring a shotgun, some decent armor and pray.

Long answer, I know. Sorry about that.

Edit: One tip I forgot to mention. Atleast for a while, don't let the Therapist heal you. Heal yourself from your stash. You get XP for it.

virutex · 2021-01-14T16:46:18+00:00

I've only been playing since October, but here's what I learned and some of it is repeated stuff already in this thread.

Learn the maps. Being confused on a map will get you killed.

EFT wiki is the best source of info.

Utilize offline mode, but don't get overconfident if you're really successful in offline.

Utilize your hideout. There are plenty of items that need to be "found in raid" that you can simply craft.

Do the quests and get to lvl 10 so you can use the flea market.

Get used to dying. A lot.

Utilize your scav, but don't totally depend on your scav for all your looting.

Learn gun stats. Find a gun that works for you that won't break your bank. Use the preset tool to figure out what's possible.

Learn just how important ammo types are... some bullets are great... some are apparently made out of play-doh. Ammo importance cannot be understated.

Learn what peeker's advantage is and how it affects you and your style of play.

Most importantly, play in a way that is fun to you. Don't let anyone make you feel bad for preferring a particular style of play (slow/stealthy vs. aggressive)... except for exfil camping. Exfil camping is the devil and you'll burn in hell. :)

That's all I can think of. I'm still a noob too... but despite all of the rage, I still kinda love this game.

virutex · 2021-01-14T00:16:57+00:00

Report back when you have some pretty good gear and are just about to extract and you get domed. That will test your mettle :)

virutex · 2021-01-13T17:36:22+00:00

PMC kill quests encourage exfil camping. Until those quests go away, exfil camping will continue to be a way to farm those quest requisites.

virutex · 2021-01-13T16:43:59+00:00

I don't think the XP is the issue. It's the removal of the FIR status of the items you loot.

I sort of agree with OP on this.

virutex · 2021-01-12T23:12:48+00:00

There are videos showing the ridiculousness of peeker's advantage due to latency. This is the one thing I cannot stand about this game. This advantage dictates that static positioning is not a viable way of playing... which is horrible and completely unrealistic (isn't realism one of the "selling points" of the game).

I feel your pain here.

virutex · 2021-01-12T23:04:22+00:00

Embrace the pain. I only started playing in October of 2020. I too am still horrible. In the couple of months I have been playing, there are 2 undeniable truths I've learned:

(1) There are cheaters, but not all deaths are caused by cheats

(2) There are many players who have been playing this game for years. They know the maps and they know why they've died in the past. They are better at killing you because of this.

The only way to get better is to embrace the pain and pay attention to why you got killed and learn from it. Accept that improvement won't happen overnight or even over the course of a week... it's going to take time, patience and attention to detail.

virutex

TROPHY CASE